Services

Cameron tells council: Spend £2 million how you want

David Cameron visited Eastbourne this morning after announcing his government would give a £2 million helping hand to the town after the pier fire.

The cash, from the Coastal Communities Fund, will be used to help the town "get back on its feet" after Wednesday's blaze.

Mr Cameron said exactly how the cash will be used would be up to the local authority.

Speaking to The Argus he said: "These are hard working people who have seen their businesses taken away on the pier.

"We've given £2 million to Eastbourne council and said they can use that money in a way they think is best and to help the people of this town who may be suffering after this terrible incident.

"In particular we are talking about the traders. The money is there to be used how they think best, whether in a hardship fund or making alternative facilities available for businesses to trade from or promoting the town as a tourist destination. It is up to the council. I believe in localism and I want to give the Eastbourne people the decision."

The Prime Minister praised the action of the fire service in bringing the fire under control swiftly.

When asked about government fire cuts, specifically East Sussex Fire and Rescue's task of finding more than £7 million over the next five years, Mr Cameron said: "I asked the firefighters what lessons there were to learn from this fire and they said they were able to get the number of fire engines they required on time at the site. They did a brilliant job in saving as much of the pier as they did.

"I was also impressed to hear about the mutual support arrangements with West Sussex and Kent. They worked well.

"But of course all public services have had to make difficult, long term decisions on how they can be more effective and efficient.

"They demonstrated with this fire they were capable of doing the job they were asked to do."

Resident Michael Allen, 43, said he was "surprised at the government's generosity".

He said: "You don't expect that, especially when they are making cuts all over the place. If it helps get the pier open as soon as possible and the locals back on their feet then you can't knock the government."

Comments

Could he give us £36m to spend how we want so that we can get rid of the horrendous loan.

Could he give us £36m to spend how we want so that we can get rid of the horrendous loan.Morpheus

Could he give us £36m to spend how we want so that we can get rid of the horrendous loan.

Score: 3

sussexram40
1:25pm Fri 1 Aug 14

Pre election bribe to marginal Lib Dem seat that is on the Tory hit list.

Pre election bribe to marginal Lib Dem seat that is on the Tory hit list.sussexram40

Pre election bribe to marginal Lib Dem seat that is on the Tory hit list.

Score: 6

Sussex jim
7:13pm Fri 1 Aug 14

I do not begrudge a respectable town like Eastbourne receiving this cash boost. It's about time the people of some other towns took a bit more pride in themselves and their surroundings instead of whingeing about Government "cuts" and expecting to laze around on more handouts.

I do not begrudge a respectable town like Eastbourne receiving this cash boost. It's about time the people of some other towns took a bit more pride in themselves and their surroundings instead of whingeing about Government "cuts" and expecting to laze around on more handouts.Sussex jim

I do not begrudge a respectable town like Eastbourne receiving this cash boost. It's about time the people of some other towns took a bit more pride in themselves and their surroundings instead of whingeing about Government "cuts" and expecting to laze around on more handouts.

Score: 6

s&k
12:17pm Fri 1 Aug 14

Let's divert some of that unpaid coporate tax shall we?

Let's divert some of that unpaid coporate tax shall we?s&k

Let's divert some of that unpaid coporate tax shall we?

Score: 8

Goldenwight
12:29pm Fri 1 Aug 14

Will the Council be able to spend the money building new social housing, despite their being essentially forbidden from doing so by Central Government?

Will the Council be able to spend the money building new social housing, despite their being essentially forbidden from doing so by Central Government?Goldenwight

Will the Council be able to spend the money building new social housing, despite their being essentially forbidden from doing so by Central Government?

Score: 2

lovethegreens
1:20pm Fri 1 Aug 14

This is very refreshing and I am pleased to see that the gov't is allowing the local authority to use the money as best befits those affected by the fire. Given the lack of insurance available to the traders I hope the money is used to provide alternative places to trade and provide any top up for reduced earnings whilst the pier is rebuilt.

This is very refreshing and I am pleased to see that the gov't is allowing the local authority to use the money as best befits those affected by the fire. Given the lack of insurance available to the traders I hope the money is used to provide alternative places to trade and provide any top up for reduced earnings whilst the pier is rebuilt.lovethegreens

This is very refreshing and I am pleased to see that the gov't is allowing the local authority to use the money as best befits those affected by the fire. Given the lack of insurance available to the traders I hope the money is used to provide alternative places to trade and provide any top up for reduced earnings whilst the pier is rebuilt.

Score: 15

From beer to uncertainty
3:03pm Fri 1 Aug 14

£2 million for tea, biscuits and a few very productive consultancy meetings?
£600 million handed over every year to some corrupt and crack-pot countries that are funding their own space missions or seeing their own people starve because of the colour of their skin?

£2 million for tea, biscuits and a few very productive consultancy meetings?
£600 million handed over every year to some corrupt and crack-pot countries that are funding their own space missions or seeing their own people starve because of the colour of their skin?From beer to uncertainty

£2 million for tea, biscuits and a few very productive consultancy meetings?
£600 million handed over every year to some corrupt and crack-pot countries that are funding their own space missions or seeing their own people starve because of the colour of their skin?

Score: 2

Goldenwight
3:40pm Fri 1 Aug 14

Incidentally, since the cash is from the Coastal Communities Fund, it had already been allocated to help coastal communities suffering problems (as I understand.) So Eastbourne is being given something to which it was already entitled. Whoopee-doo.

Incidentally, since the cash is from the Coastal Communities Fund, it had already been allocated to help coastal communities suffering problems (as I understand.) So Eastbourne is being given something to which it was already entitled. Whoopee-doo.Goldenwight

Incidentally, since the cash is from the Coastal Communities Fund, it had already been allocated to help coastal communities suffering problems (as I understand.) So Eastbourne is being given something to which it was already entitled. Whoopee-doo.

Score: -7

Evergreen71
4:06pm Fri 1 Aug 14

The haemophiliac community (what's left of it) has been suffering horrific problems for three decades. Where's the allocated cash??

The haemophiliac community (what's left of it) has been suffering horrific problems for three decades. Where's the allocated cash??Evergreen71

The haemophiliac community (what's left of it) has been suffering horrific problems for three decades. Where's the allocated cash??

Score: -8

Evergreen71
3:13pm Fri 1 Aug 14

Haemophiliacs who received contaminated treatment resulting in AIDS and Hepatitis C in what has been called the 'worst tragedy in the history of the NHS' have been waiting thirty years for an apology, let alone some form of adequate monetary compensation to help them survive. Remaining victims who met David Cameron recently to voice their despair were fobbed off yet again ... How nice that Eastbourne Pier commands such speedy restitution!

Haemophiliacs who received contaminated treatment resulting in AIDS and Hepatitis C in what has been called the 'worst tragedy in the history of the NHS' have been waiting thirty years for an apology, let alone some form of adequate monetary compensation to help them survive. Remaining victims who met David Cameron recently to voice their despair were fobbed off yet again ... How nice that Eastbourne Pier commands such speedy restitution!Evergreen71

Haemophiliacs who received contaminated treatment resulting in AIDS and Hepatitis C in what has been called the 'worst tragedy in the history of the NHS' have been waiting thirty years for an apology, let alone some form of adequate monetary compensation to help them survive. Remaining victims who met David Cameron recently to voice their despair were fobbed off yet again ... How nice that Eastbourne Pier commands such speedy restitution!

Score: 0

HJarrs
5:15pm Fri 1 Aug 14

£2 million will disappear into general spending (and who can blame the council following years of government cuts) and most likely not be spent on resurrecting the pier, which will remain as a burnt out shell for years if Eastbourne is not careful.

£2 million will disappear into general spending (and who can blame the council following years of government cuts) and most likely not be spent on resurrecting the pier, which will remain as a burnt out shell for years if Eastbourne is not careful.HJarrs

£2 million will disappear into general spending (and who can blame the council following years of government cuts) and most likely not be spent on resurrecting the pier, which will remain as a burnt out shell for years if Eastbourne is not careful.

Score: 0

NickBrt
5:21pm Fri 1 Aug 14

If it was Brighton they would spend it on direction signs for travellers to find all our city parks.

If it was Brighton they would spend it on direction signs for travellers to find all our city parks.NickBrt

If it was Brighton they would spend it on direction signs for travellers to find all our city parks.

Score: 3

HJarrs
5:30pm Fri 1 Aug 14

NickBrt wrote…

If it was Brighton they would spend it on direction signs for travellers to find all our city parks.

Yawn.

[quote][p][bold]NickBrt[/bold] wrote:
If it was Brighton they would spend it on direction signs for travellers to find all our city parks.[/p][/quote]Yawn.HJarrs

NickBrt wrote…

If it was Brighton they would spend it on direction signs for travellers to find all our city parks.

Yawn.

Score: -8

MasonStorm
7:18pm Fri 1 Aug 14

HJarrs wrote…

NickBrt wrote…

If it was Brighton they would spend it on direction signs for travellers to find all our city parks.

Yawn.

Typical green reaction. If you consumed less herbal tea and hummus, you might have some energy to fix the mess you havee made of Brighton.

[quote][p][bold]HJarrs[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]NickBrt[/bold] wrote:
If it was Brighton they would spend it on direction signs for travellers to find all our city parks.[/p][/quote]Yawn.[/p][/quote]Typical green reaction. If you consumed less herbal tea and hummus, you might have some energy to fix the mess you havee made of Brighton.MasonStorm

HJarrs wrote…

NickBrt wrote…

If it was Brighton they would spend it on direction signs for travellers to find all our city parks.

Yawn.

Typical green reaction. If you consumed less herbal tea and hummus, you might have some energy to fix the mess you havee made of Brighton.

Score: 2

HJarrs
7:27pm Fri 1 Aug 14

MasonStorm wrote…

HJarrs wrote…

NickBrt wrote…

If it was Brighton they would spend it on direction signs for travellers to find all our city parks.

Yawn.

Typical green reaction. If you consumed less herbal tea and hummus, you might have some energy to fix the mess you havee made of Brighton.

What you mean like successful cycle routes and improving economy

[quote][p][bold]MasonStorm[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]HJarrs[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]NickBrt[/bold] wrote:
If it was Brighton they would spend it on direction signs for travellers to find all our city parks.[/p][/quote]Yawn.[/p][/quote]Typical green reaction. If you consumed less herbal tea and hummus, you might have some energy to fix the mess you havee made of Brighton.[/p][/quote]What you mean like successful cycle routes and improving economyHJarrs

MasonStorm wrote…

HJarrs wrote…

NickBrt wrote…

If it was Brighton they would spend it on direction signs for travellers to find all our city parks.

Yawn.

Typical green reaction. If you consumed less herbal tea and hummus, you might have some energy to fix the mess you havee made of Brighton.

What you mean like successful cycle routes and improving economy

Score: -6

Quiterie
7:44pm Fri 1 Aug 14

Cameron "believes in localism" when it suits him.

Most of the time though he wants to strip local authorities of any decision making powers.

Cameron "believes in localism" when it suits him.
Most of the time though he wants to strip local authorities of any decision making powers.Quiterie

Cameron "believes in localism" when it suits him.

Most of the time though he wants to strip local authorities of any decision making powers.

Score: 2

Valentine anne
9:23pm Fri 1 Aug 14

Sheer electioneering!

Sheer electioneering!Valentine anne

Sheer electioneering!

Score: 0

cynic_the
9:52pm Fri 1 Aug 14

HJarrs wrote…

MasonStorm wrote…

HJarrs wrote…

NickBrt wrote…

If it was Brighton they would spend it on direction signs for travellers to find all our city parks.

Yawn.

Typical green reaction. If you consumed less herbal tea and hummus, you might have some energy to fix the mess you havee made of Brighton.

What you mean like successful cycle routes and improving economy

If that's the legacy the greens leave (in an improving national and global economy), then even you would have to admit their term has been an abject failure....

"what did you achieve in 5 years?"
"we built some cycle lanes"

brilliant!

[quote][p][bold]HJarrs[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]MasonStorm[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]HJarrs[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]NickBrt[/bold] wrote:
If it was Brighton they would spend it on direction signs for travellers to find all our city parks.[/p][/quote]Yawn.[/p][/quote]Typical green reaction. If you consumed less herbal tea and hummus, you might have some energy to fix the mess you havee made of Brighton.[/p][/quote]What you mean like successful cycle routes and improving economy[/p][/quote]If that's the legacy the greens leave (in an improving national and global economy), then even you would have to admit their term has been an abject failure....
"what did you achieve in 5 years?"
"we built some cycle lanes"
brilliant!cynic_the

HJarrs wrote…

MasonStorm wrote…

HJarrs wrote…

NickBrt wrote…

If it was Brighton they would spend it on direction signs for travellers to find all our city parks.

Yawn.

Typical green reaction. If you consumed less herbal tea and hummus, you might have some energy to fix the mess you havee made of Brighton.

What you mean like successful cycle routes and improving economy

If that's the legacy the greens leave (in an improving national and global economy), then even you would have to admit their term has been an abject failure....

"what did you achieve in 5 years?"
"we built some cycle lanes"

brilliant!

Score: 2

hubby
11:34pm Fri 1 Aug 14

s&k wrote…

Let's divert some of that unpaid coporate tax shall we?

We're rich!!!
The crisis is over.
Spend spend spend.
Kick out the immigrants.

Is there an election coming up????
Does he think we are fecking stupid?

[quote][p][bold]s&k[/bold] wrote:
Let's divert some of that unpaid coporate tax shall we?[/p][/quote]We're rich!!!
The crisis is over.
Spend spend spend.
Kick out the immigrants.
Is there an election coming up????
Does he think we are fecking stupid?hubby

s&k wrote…

Let's divert some of that unpaid coporate tax shall we?

We're rich!!!
The crisis is over.
Spend spend spend.
Kick out the immigrants.

Is there an election coming up????
Does he think we are fecking stupid?

Score: -4

hoveguyactually
7:36am Sat 2 Aug 14

It may have been a beautiful structure, but the facilities inside it were really dreary. I hope the money spent on the restoration will allow for some more interesting developments.

It may have been a beautiful structure, but the facilities inside it were really dreary. I hope the money spent on the restoration will allow for some more interesting developments.hoveguyactually

It may have been a beautiful structure, but the facilities inside it were really dreary. I hope the money spent on the restoration will allow for some more interesting developments.

Score: 1

Logicsays
1:30pm Sat 2 Aug 14

Cynical move from Pr8t Cameron. Just trying to buy a seat back from his coalition partners the Lib Dems. Eastbourne went LD once before and the Tories under Thatcher/Major lost the next election. It went LD in 2010 so history says....

Cynical move from Pr8t Cameron. Just trying to buy a seat back from his coalition partners the Lib Dems. Eastbourne went LD once before and the Tories under Thatcher/Major lost the next election. It went LD in 2010 so history says....Logicsays

Cynical move from Pr8t Cameron. Just trying to buy a seat back from his coalition partners the Lib Dems. Eastbourne went LD once before and the Tories under Thatcher/Major lost the next election. It went LD in 2010 so history says....

Score: 2

HJarrs
10:25pm Sat 2 Aug 14

cynic_the wrote…

HJarrs wrote…

MasonStorm wrote…

HJarrs wrote…

NickBrt wrote…

If it was Brighton they would spend it on direction signs for travellers to find all our city parks.

Yawn.

Typical green reaction. If you consumed less herbal tea and hummus, you might have some energy to fix the mess you havee made of Brighton.

What you mean like successful cycle routes and improving economy

If that's the legacy the greens leave (in an improving national and global economy), then even you would have to admit their term has been an abject failure....

"what did you achieve in 5 years?"
"we built some cycle lanes"

brilliant!

Minority Green council has been in just over 3 years. Quite right cycle lanes have only been a small amount if what has been achieved. Perhaps you can name the achievements of the previous 4 years of Conservative rule ( thay did want to spend a million getting rid of a cycle route though!).

[quote][p][bold]cynic_the[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]HJarrs[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]MasonStorm[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]HJarrs[/bold] wrote:
[quote][p][bold]NickBrt[/bold] wrote:
If it was Brighton they would spend it on direction signs for travellers to find all our city parks.[/p][/quote]Yawn.[/p][/quote]Typical green reaction. If you consumed less herbal tea and hummus, you might have some energy to fix the mess you havee made of Brighton.[/p][/quote]What you mean like successful cycle routes and improving economy[/p][/quote]If that's the legacy the greens leave (in an improving national and global economy), then even you would have to admit their term has been an abject failure....
"what did you achieve in 5 years?"
"we built some cycle lanes"
brilliant![/p][/quote]Minority Green council has been in just over 3 years. Quite right cycle lanes have only been a small amount if what has been achieved. Perhaps you can name the achievements of the previous 4 years of Conservative rule ( thay did want to spend a million getting rid of a cycle route though!).HJarrs

cynic_the wrote…

HJarrs wrote…

MasonStorm wrote…

HJarrs wrote…

NickBrt wrote…

If it was Brighton they would spend it on direction signs for travellers to find all our city parks.

Yawn.

Typical green reaction. If you consumed less herbal tea and hummus, you might have some energy to fix the mess you havee made of Brighton.

What you mean like successful cycle routes and improving economy

If that's the legacy the greens leave (in an improving national and global economy), then even you would have to admit their term has been an abject failure....

"what did you achieve in 5 years?"
"we built some cycle lanes"

brilliant!

Minority Green council has been in just over 3 years. Quite right cycle lanes have only been a small amount if what has been achieved. Perhaps you can name the achievements of the previous 4 years of Conservative rule ( thay did want to spend a million getting rid of a cycle route though!).

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